<p>hello there!
this is my first post on this forum, so please forgive me if this topic has already been posted and/or if it's in the wrong section.</p>
<p>im a sophomore in college and when i grow up, i want to eventually work my way up to be the cfo of some sort of bank or corporate business.</p>
<p>Basically, what i would like to know is: </p>
<p>1) what classes should i take in high school to help me move on towards this path
2) what should i major/minor in during college?
3) which colleges are good in these fields?
4) what programs should i enroll in after college?</p>
<p>any other information regarding the path leading up to the position of a cfo would be very helpful.
thank you!</p>
<p>You should major in accounting, finance, or economics, then get an MBA in finance, and to increase your chances even more—try to get CPA or CFA designation.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on whether you have money and want to spend another two years at school. Before you apply to an MBA program, you have to have some working experience, probably more than two years. On the other hand, many CPAs are becoming CFOs, nowadays, so it is a good option too, and you can obtain CPA much faster, and for lower price. In addition, if you obtain both of them–you will definitely become a CFO. Yet, it is possible to become a CFO by having only a CPA or an MBA.</p>
<p>@coolperson
You said you were a sophomore in college and you’re asking what classes to take during high school?</p>
<p>@toshtemirov
You’re talking about at least two years of working experience related to your field, right? If not I already have five years of working experience and I’m still a freshmen in college.</p>
<p>Send resumes to the board of directors for all the top companies. IBM’s CFO doesn’t even have a CFO and makes more than six million a year. If you tell them you’ll work for 3 million you are pretty much guaranteed it. They save 3 million that way. It’s win/win/win!</p>
<p>By Spydersix, “You’re talking about at least two years of working experience related to your field, right? If not I already have five years of working experience and I’m still a freshmen in college.”</p>
<p>I was talking about the working experience that you will gain after your undergraduate degree. However, you can also gain the relevant working experience even without compleating an undergraduate degree. For instance, if you are in the accounting field, then experience as a bookkeeper will satisfy the requirement for an MBA in Finance/Accounting, for it is related to business. And yes, two years are considered the minimum for some MBA programs. Obviously, it is better to have a longer working experience. (from 5 to infinity) </p>
<p>Spydersix, yet, 5 years of working experience at Macdonalds will not satisfy the requirement :)</p>
<p>is it possible to become CFO if your not ivy league but instead only top 50?? still a high GPA however and double major in finance/comp science?</p>
<p>^I don’t think its possible with just a BA. If you get an MBA from a top graduate business program, then you will be more competitive for a CFO position.</p>
<p>why not go big and become CEO… im actually aiming to be president… of the world… i’m taking some international politics classes right now so i can apply after i graduate.</p>
<p>Go as far as you can in math in high school. In college continue with math/engineering/physics/quantitative anything.</p>
<p>You do not have to be an accounting or finance major. Lots of CFOs I know went to top colleges which did not offer these majors. After college there will be many paths. Rising through a company, becoming some kind of banker and going into a company from there are two typical ones. Maybe an MBA along the way.</p>
<p>For now, just get as strong as you can in math, including going beyond calc while in HS if you can.</p>
<p>College is only going to be the first step, and probably the smallest step into becoming a CFO.</p>
<p>1) Go to college, get a degree…hopefully in a major that isn’t useless. </p>
<p>2) Get a job out of college in a good company with upward mobility.</p>
<p>3) Hopefully that company does tuition reimbursement, and get them to pay for your MBA. You’ll be going to night school or spending your Saturdays in a classroom, but you’ll eventually get your MBA.</p>
<p>4) Excel in whatever jobs/tasks/projects you are given in the company you work for. Become an asset to the company, not just somebody that shows up to collect a paycheck.</p>
<p>5a) Work your way up from an entry level position to higher management level positions over the years. Every time a promotion becomes available, put in for it. Prove you are the best person for the job.</p>
<p>5b) Move around to different companies by putting in for higher positions. Many people find it is easier to advance in their industries by moving from one company to another. Don’t do it too often or you may be pegged as a job hopper.</p>
<p>6) Have some luck on your way. Don’t underestimate how much luck plays a factor in getting promoted/high paying jobs.</p>
<p>I’d have to really disagree with the above #3 unless you want to be a small company CFO. If you’re thinking Fortune 500, you will want a top MBA or finance degree. These are hard to get while working. You would work for an average of 4 years and then go back to school full time. It’s worth the investment if you can get into a top program. Then your trajectory will be much faster and much more likely.</p>
<p>^ What if you went to a top undergraduate business school? I guess if you want to become a CFO at a F500, the MBA could make a difference, but I just don’t see the value of it personally. I mean, I don’t want to take those finance, accounting and other business classes all over again. I’m not going to learn anything new. I just think an MBA would be a waste of money, in terms of learning at least.</p>